Assessment of Malnutrition in Hospitalized Patients: a Quasi Study

N/ANot Yet RecruitingNCT07473492

AlFayhaa General Hospital300 enrolled

Overview

Malnutrition among hospitalized patients is a critical, yet often overlooked, public health issue associated with increased complications, longer hospital stays, higher mortality, and greater healthcare costs. In Iraq, factors such as dietary patterns, the burden of chronic diseases, and healthcare constraints may increase the risk of hospital-acquired malnutrition. Current standard care may not include systematic nutritional screening or protocol-driven support. This trial aims to test whether implementing an individualized nutritional support program can improve clinical outcomes for at-risk medical inpatients in Iraqi hospitals, building upon evidence from international studies

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

300

Conditions

COPD , Neurology , ICU Alzheimer Alzheimer s Disease

Interventions

Nutritional Assessment and Medication Review

Intervention Description"This observational intervention consists of a multi-disciplinary clinical assessment conducted in three distinct phases for each enrolled participant:Validated Two-Step Nutritional Evaluation: Unlike standard hospital screening, this study uses the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002) as an initial filter. Patients identified as 'at risk' (score $\\ge$ 3) are immediately subjected to the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. This provides a definitive diagnosis by combining phenotypic criteria (non-volitional weight loss, low BMI, or reduced muscle mass) with etiologic criteria (reduced food intake/malabsorption or disease-related inflammation/chronic illness).Specialized Comorbidity Analysis: The assessment specifically targets the impact of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Alzheimer's Disease on nutritional status, evaluating how respiratory hypermetabolism and cognitive impairment act as independent drivers of malnutri

Nutritional Assessment and Medication ReviewOTHER

To distinguish your research from a standard hospital audit or a basic nutritional survey, your description must highlight the systematic, two-step diagnostic workflow and the integration of clinical pharmacy oversight.Use the following detailed description for your entry:Intervention Description"This observational intervention consists of a multi-dimensional clinical assessment conducted in three specific phases for each participant:Validated Two-Step Nutritional Protocol: Unlike standard care, which may lack formal screening, this intervention applies the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002) within 48 hours of admission. Participants identified as 'at risk' (score $\\ge$ 3) are immediately subjected to the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. This provides a definitive diagnosis by combining phenotypic criteria (non-volitional weight loss, low BMI, or reduced muscle mass) with etiologic criteria (reduced food intake/malabsorption or disease-related inflammati

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age: Adult patients aged $\\ge$ 18 years.Setting: Patients admitted to the Medicine, Surgery, or Neurology Intensive Care Unit (ICU) wards at Al-Basrah Teaching Hospital or Al-Fayhaa General Hospital.Duration of Stay: Patients who have been hospitalized for a minimum of 48 hours (to ensure a baseline for malnutrition screening and medication review).Clinical Conditions: Patients with various primary diagnoses, including specific subgroups with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Alzheimer's Disease.Informed Consent: Patients or their legal guardians (especially for those in the ICU or with cognitive impairment) who provide written or verbal informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Maternity/Obstetrics: Pregnant or lactating women, as nutritional requirements and physiological BMI changes differ from the general adult population. Terminal Illness: Patients in end-of-life or palliative care where nutritional intervention is no longer a clinical goal. Incomplete Records: Patients with missing medical or medication charts that prevent the accurate identification of Medication-Related Problems (MRPs). Short Stay: Patients planned for discharge or transfer within less than 48 hours of admission. Psychiatric Disorders: Patients with primary psychiatric diagnoses that may interfere with the ability to conduct nutritional assessments (unless a guardian is present).

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

oint Prevalence of Malnutrition using GLIM Criteria and NRS-2002

The primary goal is to determine the prevalence of malnutrition among hospitalized adult patients in Al-Basrah Teaching Hospital and Al-Fayhaa General Hospital. All participants are first screened using the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002). For those identified as "at risk" (score $\\ge$ 3), a definitive diagnosis is made using the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. Diagnosis requires at least one phenotypic criterion (non-volitional weight loss, low BMI, or reduced muscle mass) and one etiologic criterion (reduced food intake/malabsorption or disease-related inflammation/chronic illness, such as COPD or critical illness in the Neurology ICU). The prevalence will be reported as the percentage of the total cohort meeting the GLIM diagnostic threshold.

Time frame: Within 48 hours of hospital admission

Point Prevalence of Malnutrition using GLIM Criteria , NRS2002

Time frame: Within 48 hours of hospital admission.